French regulations

Extended Producer Responsibility

The 2003 European WEEE Directive introduces the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility which means that producers of electrical and electronic household appliances are accountable for the end-of-service life of appliances that they have placed on the market. Furthermore, collection targets for used equipment and recycling and recovery target rates are also set. Being a member of a take-back organisation allows producers to transfer their WEEE responsibilities.

Extended Producer Responsibility

The 2003 European WEEE Directive introduces the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility which means that producers of electrical and electronic household appliances are accountable for the end-of-service life of appliances that they have placed on the market. Furthermore, collection targets for used equipment and recycling and recovery target rates are also set. Being a member of a take-back organisation allows producers to transfer their WEEE responsibilities.

You are a Producer of EEE in France if you:

Manufacture and sell EEE under your own brand in France.

Resell equipment made by someone else under your own brand (if the maker’s brand appears on the equipment they are the Producer).

A Decree for the French industry

Each country transposes the European WEEE Directive in different ways. This is why the French Decree includes national specificities. In July 2005, the publication of the Decree defined the main WEEE industry principals for France. The obligation to affix an identical visible fee passed onto the consumer was introduced.

A Decree for the French industry

Each country transposes the European WEEE Directive in different ways. This is why the French Decree includes national specificities. In July 2005, the publication of the Decree defined the main WEEE industry principals for France. The obligation to affix an identical visible fee passed onto the consumer was introduced.

The French specifications of the eco-fee

When a new electrical and electronic appliance is purchased in a shop or on the internet, each consumer pays an "eco-fee" which varies according to the product purchased and the type of treatment it requires once it has reached the end of its service life. In compliance to French law, the eco-fee is visibly indicated on labels and is separate from the product price. The eco-fee is then paid to a take-back organisation accredited by Public Authorities, such as ESR, which recovers used appliances in order to decontaminate and recycle them. The eco-fee is not paid to the public authorities. It is, therefore, not a tax.

Your client dealer based in France is a producer. Please be aware that even based overseas, you can meet obligations relative to WEEE regulations by appointing an agent in France to represent you. For more information about agents, please contact us.

The obligations of producers of electrical and electronic household appliances

The "crossed out bin" symbol

Each item of electrical or electronic equipment placed on the market after 13 August 2005 must carry a "crossed out bin" symbol. If this cannot be affixed on the equipment due to its dimensions, the symbol must be displayed on the equipment's packaging and on its warranty document and user manual.

Contributing to WEEE collection

Producers must contribute to the collection of waste electrical and electronic household appliances pro rata to equipment which they place on the market, either by implementing an individual waste collection system or by participating in a collective collection systems implemented by a take-back organisation accredited by the Public Authorities.

Declaring and invoicing

Electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market in France is subject to a declaration to a take-back scheme operator and the eco-fee must be visibly displayed on invoices.Not informing buyers by a mention of unit cost corresponding to WEEE management on a new household EEE sales invoice may be fined up to € 2,250 per non-compliant product.

Appointing an agent in France in order to meet regulatory obligations

A company based in EU outside of France may, or must in the case of direct distance selling to the end user, appoint a person or company established in France to act as its agent in order to ensure that all its obligations related to the sale of EEE in France are fulfilled. This agent can join ESR. If a foreign company does not appoint an agent, French retailers will continue to take on the role of producer as an importer or as an entity introducing the company's products. If the foreign company sells directly to the end user via distance selling, the appointment of an agent is mandatory.